Small rooms are the bane of real estate photographers. That cozy bedroom looks cramped in photos. The galley kitchen feels claustrophobic. But with the right techniques, you can make even the tightest spaces look inviting and spacious.
1. Choose Your Position Carefully
Where you stand matters more in small rooms than anywhere else.
Shoot from Corners
Position yourself in a corner to maximize the visible floor space. This creates diagonal lines that draw the eye through the room, making it feel deeper than it is.
Shoot Through Doorways
Sometimes the best angle is from just outside the room. Step back into the hallway and include the door frame—this adds depth and context while showing the entire space.
Lower Your Camera Height
Try shooting slightly lower than normal (around 3.5-4 feet instead of 5 feet). This shows more floor space and can make ceilings feel higher.
2. Use the Right Focal Length
Wider is not always better.
- 14-16mm: Use sparingly. Creates the most space but also the most distortion. Walls can look curved, rooms can feel unreal.
- 16-18mm: The sweet spot for small rooms. Wide enough to capture everything, distortion is still manageable.
- 20mm+: If the room isn't tiny, don't go ultra-wide unnecessarily. More natural perspective looks better.
The goal is to represent the space accurately while showing it at its best—not to deceive buyers who will be disappointed when they visit.
3. Declutter Strategically
Clutter kills the sense of space faster than anything else.
- Remove small items: Clear counters, nightstands, and surfaces of clutter
- Hide cords and cables: Visual noise that makes spaces feel cramped
- Minimize furniture: If possible, temporarily remove extra chairs or side tables
- Open doors and closets: Shows additional space and creates depth
4. Maximize Light
Light rooms always feel bigger than dark rooms.
- Turn on all lights: Even during the day, artificial lights fill shadows
- Open all blinds: Maximize natural light coming in
- Shoot toward windows: Backlight creates depth and draws the eye through the space
- Bracket exposures: Ensure both shadows and highlights are properly exposed
5. Use Leading Lines
Leading lines create a sense of depth that makes rooms feel larger.
- Floor patterns and hardwood grain
- Countertop edges in kitchens
- Bed frames and headboards in bedrooms
- Tile lines in bathrooms
Position yourself so these lines lead into the room, not across it.
6. Show Connections to Other Spaces
A small bedroom feels bigger when you can see it connects to a bathroom. A tight kitchen is more appealing when you can glimpse the dining area.
- Include doorways to adjacent rooms in your frame
- Open pocket doors or French doors
- Show windows that look onto outdoor spaces
7. Specific Room Tips
Small Bathrooms
- Shoot from the doorway
- Include the mirror to add visual depth
- Turn on vanity lights
- Close the toilet lid
- Hang fresh towels
Galley Kitchens
- Shoot from one end looking down the length
- Clear all counter clutter
- Turn on under-cabinet lighting
- Open upper cabinet doors slightly (optional, shows storage)
Tiny Bedrooms
- Shoot from the corner opposite the bed
- Make the bed with light-colored linens
- Open closet doors to show storage
- Remove unnecessary furniture
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going too wide: Extreme distortion makes rooms look weird, not bigger
- Cutting off furniture: Partial items make spaces feel cramped
- Dark corners: Shadows shrink the perceived space
- Crooked verticals: Tilted walls make rooms feel unstable and smaller
Small rooms will never look like grand ballrooms, and they shouldn't. The goal is to show them at their best—bright, clean, and functional. Master these techniques, and even the tightest spaces will photograph beautifully.